
Reach for this book if you have a child who is always brainstorming 'big ideas,' starting neighborhood businesses, or navigating a tricky rivalry at school. It is an excellent choice for kids who feel misunderstood by adults regarding their ambition or who struggle to collaborate with peers they view as competitors. The story follows Greg and Maura as they move from enemies to business partners in a self-made comic book empire, highlighting the value of creative compromise and intellectual property. It is perfect for ages 8 to 12, offering a grounded look at ethics, school politics, and the satisfying feeling of seeing a hard-earned project come to life. Parents will appreciate how it treats children's entrepreneurial interests with genuine respect while teaching that money is not the only measure of success.
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Sign in to write a reviewGreg and Maura have a brief physical scuffle resulting in a black eye.
The book deals with a brief physical scuffle between Greg and Maura that results in a bruised eye, handled with a focus on regret and consequences. The approach is entirely secular and realistic, focusing on interpersonal conflict and resolution.
A 10-year-old who is perhaps a bit 'too' focused on results or winning, and needs a story that validates their drive while showing the benefits of opening up to others' ideas. It is also perfect for the kid who loves drawing or making things to share.
Read the scene where Greg and Maura have their physical scuffle. It provides a good opening to discuss how anger can escalate and how to apologize sincerely. A parent might see their child being overly possessive of an idea or refusing to work with a classmate they dislike because they think they can do it better alone.
Younger readers (ages 8-9) will focus on the fun of the comic book creation and the 'cool factor' of making money. Older readers (10-12) will better grasp the nuances of the contract negotiations, the ethical questions of school rules, and the shifting social dynamics.
Unlike many school stories that focus on sports or popularity, this book treats a child's business sense as a legitimate talent, while still grounding it in the reality of middle-school social hierarchies.
Greg Kenton is obsessed with making money. After realizing that his classmates always have spare change, he begins producing 'Chunky Comics,' miniature hand-drawn comic books, to sell for twenty-five cents. His plan is disrupted when his lifelong rival and neighbor, Maura Shaw, begins selling her own competing line. After a physical altercation and a period of intense jealousy, the two realize their skills are complementary. They form a partnership to navigate school bureaucracy, specifically an administrator who views their business as a distraction, and eventually advocate for the right to sell their work for a charitable cause.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.